Great looking HCV results here from VRTX:
Press Release Source: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Reports that VX-950, an Investigational Oral Hepatitis C Protease Inhibitor, Displays Potent Antiviral Activity in Early Clinical Study
Tuesday May 10, 7:00 am ET
-- Presentation of Study Results Planned at DDW --
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) today announced interim results that indicate that the investigational oral hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease inhibitor VX-950 was well-tolerated and demonstrated potent antiviral activity in a Phase Ib clinical trial.
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The study enrolled 34 patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection who were treated for 14 days with placebo or one of three dose regimens of VX-950. Patients receiving 750 mg of VX-950 every eight hours achieved a median reduction in HCV-RNA of greater than 4 log10, equivalent to a more than 10,000-fold decrease in viral levels, at the end of 14 days of treatment. A median reduction in HCV-RNA of greater than 2 log10 was seen in each of the other two VX-950 dose groups at the end of 14 days of treatment. Every patient receiving VX-950 achieved greater than a 2 log10 reduction in HCV-RNA within the first three days of treatment. Genotype 1 HCV infection is the most difficult strain of HCV to treat and the most prevalent strain in the United States, Western Europe and Japan. Results from the study will be presented by a clinical investigator on May 17, 2005 at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW), a medical conference to be held in Chicago, Illinois. In accordance with the embargo policy of the meeting, the specific data from the trial beyond what is described in this press release will not be disclosed until the DDW presentation.
"Vertex is committed to developing innovative compounds for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. VX-950, one of the most advanced agents in a promising new class of direct antivirals, underscores that commitment," said Joshua Boger, Ph.D., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex. "The demonstration of antiviral activity in this early clinical study is highly encouraging, and we look forward to sharing these data in greater detail at DDW next week."
Based on the results of the Phase Ib clinical study, the Company plans to explore the development of VX-950 as monotherapy and in combination with other HCV treatments. Vertex plans to consult with the U.S. FDA and European regulatory authorities on the Company's development plans. Vertex expects to file an investigational new drug (IND) application in the second half of 2005 to support Phase II clinical development of VX-950 in the United States. In collaboration with Vertex, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation is developing VX-950 in Japan and certain Far East countries.
Trial Design
The Phase Ib clinical trial was a double-blind, randomized placebo- controlled study designed to evaluate the tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on viral kinetics of three doses of VX-950 -- 450 mg every 8 hours, 1250 mg every 12 hours, or 750 mg every 8 hours -- over a period of 14 days, with additional post-treatment follow-up. A key goal of the study was to assess different dosing levels and frequencies for VX-950 to provide insight into dose selection for future monotherapy and combination therapy studies. Thirty-four patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C virus infection were enrolled in the study; six patients received placebo and 28 patients received VX-950. The study was conducted at three centers in Europe. The trial included treatment-experienced and treatment-naive HCV-infected patients.
VX-950 Demonstrates Antiviral Activity
Interim Phase Ib clinical trial results indicate that VX-950 was well- tolerated across all three dose groups with no serious adverse events reported, and no treatment discontinuations. Treatment with VX-950 also resulted in significant reductions in plasma HCV-RNA. Within three days of treatment, the median reduction in HCV-RNA was greater than 3 log10 in all three VX-950 dose groups. In the dose group receiving 750 mg of VX-950 every 8 hours, there was a further reduction in viral levels between days 3 and 14 of treatment, with mean and median HCV-RNA reductions of greater than 4 log10 at day 14. Trough plasma concentrations of VX-950 were highest in the 750 mg every 8 hour dose group. In the 450 mg q8h and 1250 mg q12h dose groups, maximal effects were seen between days 3 and 7 of treatment. Subsequently, there was an increase of approximately 1 log10 in median HCV-RNA between days 7 and 14 evident in both groups. Full analysis of the study, including a detailed pharmacokinetic and viral sequencing evaluation, is underway.
Web Cast Conference Call on May 17
Following the presentation of VX-950 clinical data at DDW, Vertex Pharmaceuticals will host a conference call on May 17, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). This call will be broadcast live via the Internet at vrtx.com in the investor center until end of day on May 30, 2005. Alternatively, to listen to the call live on the telephone, dial (800) 374-0296 (U.S. and Canada) or (706) 634-2224 (International). The archived call will be available via telephone commencing May 17, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. EDT through 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 23, 2005. The replay phone number for the U.S. and Canada is (800) 642-1687. The international replay number is (706) 645-9291. The conference ID number is 6231209 for both numbers. |
